Police: Suspect tried to take officer’s Taser before fatal shooting at UAB St. Vincent’s

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A man is dead following a shooting involving an officer outside UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham on Thursday, police confirmed.

According to a UAB B-Alert sent to employees, the shooting was reported outside the facility. The alert stated that the scene was secure, but advised people to avoid the North Tower area and Level A of the parking deck.

According to police, around 12:35 p.m., a Birmingham police officer on patrol was flagged down by a security guard working at the McDonald’s on University Boulevard. The guard flagged down the officer and alleged a man had assaulted a McDonald’s employee.

The guard reportedly pointed out the suspect and the officer spoke to him. Police said the officer tried to detain the suspect, however, the man ran into the North Tower parking deck at UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham.

A WBRC viewer sent us video of the possible suspect in a green shirt being chased by a police officer. The video was described to Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett Thursday during a news conference and he said it appeared to show the possible suspect.

The officer followed the suspect in and allegedly spoke with the suspect, who would not stop trying to get away. The officer then tried to use their taser. The suspect reportedly tried to take the officer’s taser, leading to the officer pulling out their gun. The suspect was then shot. Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett said emergency personnel responded, but ultimately, the suspect died.

Pickett said the officer is a seven-year veteran with Birmingham Police and is being placed on leave while the shooting is investigated. Birmingham Police’s Homicide Unit will lead the investigation and turn results over to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.

Pickett also said Birmingham Police plan to shared body-camera footage when they can.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office listed the suspect in their report on Friday, Aug. 14, but said he was unidentified. His age was also not confirmed. The coroner’s report said the man was shot at 12:30 p.m. in the parking deck and was pronounced dead at 12:51 p.m.

Witnesses near the scene described a frantic and chaotic environment outside the hospital as the shooting unfolded.

One man told WBRC he saw someone run into the parking deck moments before gunfire erupted. Another witness turning into the deck reported hearing shots and counting approximately 15 Birmingham police cruisers rushing to the scene less than five minutes later.

A woman who parked inside the deck just as the shooting began recalled hearing multiple gunshots.

“As soon as we shut off the car, we immediately heard ‘pop pop pop pop pop,’” she said, asking not to be identified on camera. “It was at least five shots — maybe more, I don’t know, maybe six. It was consistently one right after another.”

She described the scene as incredibly tense, adding that she initially did not know what the noise was until she heard police sirens and alarms.

“Once a police officer told them the scene was under control, they felt calm,” she said.

This story will be updated as we continue learning new information.

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